A controversial law which could see hospitals shut down with minimal public consultation in order to save failing hospitals nearby has been voted through by MPs.

Clause 119 of the Government’s Care Bill, the Hospital Closure Clause, would allow a hospital to be closed or downgraded if another trust in the area is failing financially.

In the House of Commons yesterday, 297 MPs voted in favour of Clause 119, while 239 voted against it.

The Care Bill will now go the House of Lords. If the upper chamber approves it in its final form, the law will progress towards getting royal assent.

Members of GMB, the trade union for NHS staff, protested outside Parliament while the clause was being debated.

This clause states that a "trust special administrator" taking action in relation to a hospital trust in financial difficulties would be able to take action "in relation to another NHS trust, which is necessary for and consequential on action taken in relation to that NHS trust".

Comments (8)

So next time you see Tom Brake MP and Paul Burstow MP standing outside St Helier Hospital for the cameras, pretending they’re even remotely concerned about its possible closure in order to cynically get your vote, remember that they voted FOR this clause.

So next time you see Tom Brake MP and Paul Burstow MP standing outside St Helier Hospital for the cameras, pretending they’re even remotely concerned about its possible closure in order to cynically get your vote, remember that they voted FOR this clause.David7

Turncoat Lib Dems got this through- remember this, and never ever should anyone allow Tom Brake and Paul Burstow to claim they give a rat's backside about our hospital or our NHS. You can't trust the Tories OR the Lib Dems with the NHS.

Turncoat Lib Dems got this through- remember this, and never ever should anyone allow Tom Brake and Paul Burstow to claim they give a rat's backside about our hospital or our NHS. You can't trust the Tories OR the Lib Dems with the NHS.Niki R

The people of Sutton have made their voices loud and clear, telling us that they want to protect their local hospital services. Their MPs are not listening to them. I hope the people of this borough make their voices heard again at the next election!

The people of Sutton have made their voices loud and clear, telling us that they want to protect their local hospital services. Their MPs are not listening to them. I hope the people of this borough make their voices heard again at the next election!HelenRyan

This is a VERY slippery slope! This practice of closing hospitals due to the failure of others instead of addressing the problems related to the failings and correcting them is down to gross failure of duty of care to the residents of these areas by the government. There is nothing more important for the welfare of a community than the easy availability of proper medical care as quickly as possible when needed. Under NO circumstances should a Hospital Closer Clause or any other legislation allow any entity to bypass and deny public participation in such critical matters so directly effecting their welfare.

This is a VERY slippery slope! This practice of closing hospitals due to the failure of others instead of addressing the problems related to the failings and correcting them is down to gross failure of duty of care to the residents of these areas by the government. There is nothing more important for the welfare of a community than the easy availability of proper medical care as quickly as possible when needed. Under NO circumstances should a Hospital Closer Clause or any other legislation allow any entity to bypass and deny public participation in such critical matters so directly effecting their welfare.imasumak

Remember that bar a few exceptions all MP's are in it for what they can get out of it - gold plated pension and a highly paid non-job once out of Parliament
They follow the party line and it is actually pointless them being there

Remember that bar a few exceptions all MP's are in it for what they can get out of it - gold plated pension and a highly paid non-job once out of Parliament
They follow the party line and it is actually pointless them being thereLiberalsOut